Big new saloons star at Beijing

One of the themes of the Beijing motor show that's impossible to miss is the popularity of luxury saloons with the Chinese car buying public.

So it's no coincidence to see several major luxury saloon launches at the show. Perhaps the biggest of all is Maybach's launch of facelifts of its 57 and 62 saloons; neither are popular with the European car buying public but have found popularity among China's affluent businessmen.

Another car that's less than popular in Europe but more so in China is the VW Phaeton. Subtle revisions to the car's styling have brought it more in line with the rest of VW's new range; it'll reach the UK later this year.

Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all using the show to launch larger versions of its own executive saloons. BMW has shown off a long-wheelbase 5-series and also an electric version of that car. Audi's new A8 has also been given an extended wheelbase for the show, as has Mercedes E-class.

It's not just the German manufacturers who have noticed the popularity of executive saloons in China, however, as Hyundai has taken its full-size Equus saloon to the show.

But the biggest saloon of all at the show is not from an established German brand - the Geely CA7600L (the firm's own Rolls-Royce' has been facelifted for the show and, at almost six metres long, is comfortably the biggest car there.